GLIAC -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced its weekly awards following Week 3 of the 2024 football season. Roosevelt junior wide receiver Keonta Nixon was selected for GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week honors, Saginaw Valley State junior defensive back Eli Gordon was named GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week and Roosevelt placekicker Mauricio Escudero received GLIAC Special Teams Player of the Week recognition.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Keonta Nixon, Roosevelt
Keonta Nixon re-wrote the Roosevelt record books Saturday against Valparaiso, catching eight passes for a program-record 209 yards. That included the longest play in school history, a 97-yard touchdown reception from Carson Budke that sparked a fourth-quarter rally to force overtime. Nixon has now caught a touchdown pass in six of his last seven games and gone over 100 yards receiving in four of his last five games.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Eli Gordon, Saginaw Valley State
Eli Gordon had another outstanding game as he led the defense with 11 tackles, a forced fumble, a blocked field-goal recovery, and an interception in the 37-14 win over Truman State in the team's home opener. It is the second time in his career that he has registered double-digit stops in a game. The midland, Michigan product sealed the game with his second interception of the season that he snagged inside the SVSU 5-yard line and returned it 66 yards to the Truman 31-yard line and allowed the Cardinal offense to kill the clock.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Mauricio Escudero, Roosevelt
Mauricio Escudero became the first kicker since football arrived at Roosevelt to make multiple field goals in a game. The junior from San Diego made all three of his field goals and both extra points against Valparaiso to lead the team with 11 points. Escudero put the Lakers on the scoreboard with a 30-yard field goal in the first quarter then came up clutch with a 36-yarder to force the game into overtime. In the extra period, Escudero connected on a 44-yard field goal to give Roosevelt the lead on its first possession.
HONORABLE MENTION
Offense: Alex Fries (Michigan Tech), Mike O'Horo (Davenport), Mason McKenzie (Saginaw Valley State), Ike Udengwu (Grand Valley State)
Defense: Josh Cribben (Michigan Tech), Ian Kennelly (Grand Valley State), Xavier Marquez (Davenport)
Special Teams: Mathew Bacik (Grand Valley State), Brandon Gielow (Davenport), Brenden Lach (Michigan Tech)
